Screw in Fairing Problem

[angelo]

Sorry boys, stupid ass question but I'd rather take a breath, ask here, before screwing it up.

Had a slight issue, loosened all the screws to realign everything.  All good except this one screw.  No matter how far over I slide the black plastic, the screw goes in with nothing to screw into.  Perhaps the female threaded part is broken.  Perhaps I need some info 101.

Bottom left of pic. 

[RBX QB]

1. Make sure the rubber well nut is still back there.
2. Don't tighten any of them until that on is in.

Every time I reinstall, I have to start with that one to make sure it seats correctly. First time I did it, I couldn't get the plastic to seat properly and thread that same bolt... so I always start with that one now.

[angelo]

1. Make sure the rubber well nut is still back there.

What is a strategy for that?  I couldn't reach. 

I hear you on the rest.

This is the problem with a newer shiny bike.  Worry about little ****.

[zarticus]

What is a strategy for that?  I couldn't reach. 

I hear you on the rest.

This is the problem with a newer shiny bike.  Worry about little ****.

Take the black piece back off & make sure the well nut is still there

[jwh20]

Just to clarify a bit.  There is a "Well Nut":



That fits into a hole in the main part of the fairing.  It's not uncommon for these well nuts to come loose and drop out. 

At this point, your best bet is to take the entire panel off and you need to get to the push-rivet under the windscreen, and see what's going on behind the panel.

[VirginiaJim]

The plastic piece that holds the well nut can crack and fall apart as well.  If the well nut is gone then the plastic piece that holds it probably fell apart.  That particular screw hole if I'm looking at the picture correctly is attached to a piece of the mirror assembly.  Mine disintegrated and I was lucky enough to find a used mirror assembly.

[RBX QB]

Other than the empty hole, there isn't any real risk not having that bolt there (if the well nut is missing or broken off). You may get some rattle or minor movement in the panel, but it's not going to fall off the bike.

We should point out that in addition to the 3 bolts you can see holding the panel, there's a plastic push rivet at the top, facing the backside of the windscreen (visible if you look thru the windscreen). It's possible to remove it with the windscreen on, but easier with it off (especially if you haven't done it before). Personally, I don't have those push rivets on the bike anymore, just so I don't have to mess with them.

[Rhino]

The plastic piece that holds the well nut can crack and fall apart as well.

Yup! Don't ask me how I know 

Other than the empty hole, there isn't any real risk not having that bolt there (if the well nut is missing or broken off). You may get some rattle or minor movement in the panel, but it's not going to fall off the bike.

Yup! again.

[angelo]

Thanks everyone.